Till: MIDDLK CIVILIZATIONS 



L73 



the peculiar pottery art already described. Those were 

 carved out of solid blocks of lava with stone tools. 

 It is not unlikely that these elaborate nictates were used 

 as ceremonial seats since few of them show signs of use. 



Fig. 61 . Jaguar design with Mayan affinities associated with Fig- 

 urines that still retain Archaic Characters. Costa Rica. 



Fig 62. Jaguars from painted Nicoyau Vases 



The jaguar is perhaps the most common motive used 

 in the decoration of these metates. The back is broad 

 and slightly dished, the head projects from the center 

 of one end and the tail swings in a curve from the other 

 end to one of the feet. 



